Every year, the Environmental Working Group, or EWG, releases a list of the "Dirty Dozen" — the 12 types of produce most contaminated by pesticides. This year's list is out, and the news is bleak: EWG says 96% of Dirty Dozen samples contained pesticides. The list this year contains:
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The less stressful companion list is the Clean 15, which highlights produce with the lowest pesticide levels. That list this year includes:
Alongside the two lists, the EWG offers some practical advice for limiting your pesticide exposure: Buy organic versions of Dirty Dozen items when you can, lean on items from the Clean 15, consider frozen produce as a cheaper option and wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating. As EWG science analyst Varun Subramaniam put it, "Consumers have a right to know what’s on their food," but he also emphasized there are "simple steps shoppers can take to reduce exposure while still eating plenty of fruits and vegetables."
In this article: OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner, Farberware Easy to use pro Pump Spinner with Bowl and Spring Chef Premium Swivel Vegetable Peeler
And yes, washing really does help, just not equally for every fruit and vegetable. The Organic Center’s produce washing guide says vinegar washes reduced pesticide residues by 40-90% in some studies, while peeling removed up to 95% of pesticides from some melons. The EWG says soaking and rinsing with water is a good start, but baking soda or vinegar may work better on some produce, while you should avoid soaps and detergents. That means sturdy-skinned produce often benefits more from a thorough wash or peel, while delicate berries and leafy greens still deserve a careful rinse even if they'll never come out perfectly pristine. The products below can help with washing and storing your produce the best ways possible to keep it clean and fresh.
The OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner makes washing produce less messy. It has a 6.22-quart bowl, a 4.4-quart basket, a non-slip base, a built-in brake and a lid that comes apart for cleaning, so it's especially handy for greens and herbs.
Farberware Pro Pump Spinner with Bowl 33% OFF
This spinner is a little bit bigger, with a 6.6-quart capacity and a built-in draining system. It's a good option if you want one piece that can wash, spin and drain produce without having to transfer items from bowl to colander.
Spring Chef Premium Swivel Vegetable Peeler
A good peeler makes a big difference when working with apples, carrots or potatoes. This one has a sharp stainless steel blade and soft-grip handle, and the swivel design makes it faster and easier to use than straight peelers.
imarku Paring Knife 41% OFF
This knife is small and precise for trimming bruised spots, hulling strawberries or handling smaller prep work after washing your produce. It has a 3.5-inch high-carbon stainless steel blade and an ergonomic pakkawood handle.
MR.SIGA Fruit and Vegetable Cleaning Brush 7% OFF
If you like to physically scrub produce, these brushes offer non-slip grips and a compact shape that works for many fruits and vegetables, like potatoes, carrots and other tougher-skinned items.
Paoli 304 Stainless Steel Microporous Colander 31% OFF
For washing and draining produce, this set includes a 2-quart stainless steel colander and a matching mixing bowl, which is handy for berries, greens and cut vegetables.
ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda, 7-lb Bag
Research shows baking soda is better for washing produce than soap or detergent. This 7-pound bag offers enough for soaking produce, baking and other kitchen side jobs.
Ziruma Non-Toxic 35-Oz (4.4-Cup) Glass Storage Containers with Lids
These glass storage containers are freezer-, microwave- and oven-safe, so they're great for meal prep or storing produce after you've washed or cut it.
Ello Duraglass Glass Meal Prep Sets
These containers are great if you want airtight storage after washing and chopping produce. The containers are glass, while the lids are BPA-free plastic, which makes them more durable and tougher to break.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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